Vulnerable road users: car theory test questions

1. 0.5 metres
2. 1 metre
3. 1.5 metres ✓
4. 2 metres

Answer: 1.5 metres. Leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30 mph, and give them more space at higher speeds.

Highway Code rule 163

1. Slow to no more than 10 mph and leave at least 2 metres ✓
2. Slow to 20 mph and leave at least 1 metre
3. Pass quickly to keep the time alongside short
4. Sound your horn first so the horse expects you

Answer: Slow to no more than 10 mph and leave at least 2 metres. Horses can be startled easily. Slow right down, be patient and pass wide and slow when it's safe.

Highway Code rules 163 and 215

1. After flashing your headlights at them
2. At your normal speed, leaving 1 metre
3. After sounding your horn to warn them
4. At a low speed, leaving at least 2 metres ✓

Answer: At a low speed, leaving at least 2 metres. Allow at least 2 metres of space and keep to a low speed when passing a pedestrian walking in the road.

Highway Code rule 163

1. Sound your horn to warn them you're turning
2. Give way and let them cross ✓
3. Carry on, because you have priority
4. Wave them back onto the pavement

Answer: Give way and let them cross. You should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road that you're turning into or out of.

Highway Code rules H2 and 170

1. Wait and let the cyclist pass before you turn ✓
2. Turn in front of the cyclist if you're ahead
3. Sound your horn and then turn
4. Signal left and turn, as they'll stop for you

Answer: Wait and let the cyclist pass before you turn. Don't cut across cyclists going ahead when you turn. Give way to them, just as you would to a motor vehicle.

Highway Code rule H3

1. They are training a guide dog
2. They are learning to use a cane
3. They are blind but can hear well
4. They are deafblind ✓

Answer: They are deafblind. A white cane with a red band, or a dog with a red and white harness, shows the person is deafblind and may not see or hear you.

Highway Code rule 207

1. 1 in 2
2. 1 in 5
3. 1 in 20 ✓
4. 1 in 100

Answer: 1 in 20. At 20 mph there's about a 1 in 20 chance of a pedestrian being killed; at 40 mph a vehicle will probably kill any pedestrian it hits. Keep your speed down.

Highway Code rule 207

1. They may not know your vehicle is approaching ✓
2. They will cross more quickly than others
3. They will always use a pedestrian crossing
4. They must wear high-visibility clothing

Answer: They may not know your vehicle is approaching. People with hearing impairments may not be aware of your vehicle. Remember that impairments are not always obvious.

Highway Code rules H1 and 207

1. Your right hand, so you can open it quickly
2. Either hand, as long as you check your mirror first
3. Your left hand, so you turn to look over your shoulder ✓
4. Both hands, so the door doesn't swing open

Answer: Your left hand, so you turn to look over your shoulder. Using the hand furthest from the door makes you turn your head and check behind, so you're less likely to hit a passing cyclist or motorcyclist.

Highway Code rule 239

1. Because they're required to ride in the centre
2. To make room for pedestrians in the road
3. To slow down the traffic behind them
4. To avoid being hit if a car door opens suddenly ✓

Answer: To avoid being hit if a car door opens suddenly. Cyclists are advised to ride at least a door's width, or 1 metre, from parked cars for their own safety.

Highway Code rule 213

1. Because they're about to turn left
2. To make themselves easier to see and for their own safety ✓
3. To stop motorists from ever overtaking them
4. Because cycle lanes are always closed on narrow roads

Answer: To make themselves easier to see and for their own safety. On narrow roads, quiet streets, at junctions and in slower traffic, cyclists may ride in the centre of the lane so they can see and be seen.

Highway Code rule 213

1. Flash your headlights to ask them to move over
2. Sound your horn so that they move into single file quickly
3. Overtake closely so you avoid oncoming traffic
4. Be patient and wait until you can pass with plenty of room ✓

Answer: Be patient and wait until you can pass with plenty of room. It can be safer for groups of cyclists to ride two abreast. Be patient and only overtake when you can leave enough space.

Highway Code rule 213

1. They can't use their brakes on uneven roads
2. They're required to ride in the gutter
3. They may need to move out suddenly to avoid them ✓
4. They'll always stop at each drain cover

Answer: They may need to move out suddenly to avoid them. Cyclists and motorcyclists may suddenly need to avoid uneven surfaces and obstacles, so give them plenty of room.

Highway Code rule 213

1. They want you to overtake them straight away
2. They may be about to pull out, turn right or change direction ✓
3. They are about to stop at the kerb
4. They are checking whether you've dipped your headlights

Answer: They may be about to pull out, turn right or change direction. A rider looking over their shoulder may be planning to move out or turn. Give them time and space to do so.

Highway Code rule 212

1. At the first white line ✓
2. At the second white line
3. Wherever is closest to the junction
4. Inside the cycle area, if it's empty

Answer: At the first white line. Motorists must stop at the first white line if the lights are amber or red, keeping the cyclists' waiting area clear.

Highway Code rule 178

1. They want you to overtake them on their left-hand side
2. They've made a mistake and are about to take the first exit
3. They're about to stop and get off their bike
4. They're going round the roundabout, so don't cut across them ✓

Answer: They're going round the roundabout, so don't cut across them. Cyclists may stay in the left lane when continuing around a roundabout and signal right to show they're not leaving. Take care not to cut across them.

Highway Code rule 186

1. Buses pulling away from a bus stop behind you
2. Cyclists or motorcyclists coming up the inside of the queue ✓
3. Pedestrians walking on the far pavement only
4. Lorries waiting to turn left out of the side road ahead

Answer: Cyclists or motorcyclists coming up the inside of the queue. When crossing slow or stationary traffic, look out for and give way to cyclists or motorcyclists passing on the inside.

Highway Code rule 211

1. They're harder to see and may be closer than you think ✓
2. They usually travel more slowly than other traffic
3. They always have priority over cars at junctions
4. They're not allowed to use headlights in daytime

Answer: They're harder to see and may be closer than you think. Motorcyclists and cyclists can be difficult to see. Always look out for them before you emerge.

Highway Code rule 211

1. 4 mph
2. 8 mph ✓
3. 12 mph
4. 15 mph

Answer: 8 mph. Class 3 powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters are limited to 8 mph on the road and 4 mph on pavements.

Highway Code rules 36 and 220

1. A red warning triangle
2. A flashing blue light
3. A flashing amber beacon ✓
4. An 'L' plate

Answer: A flashing amber beacon. On dual carriageways with a limit over 50 mph, these small, slow vehicles must use a flashing amber beacon. On other roads you may get no such warning.

Highway Code rule 220

1. Stop and switch off your engine until they've gone ✓
2. Rev your engine so they know you're there
3. Edge forward slowly to help move them along
4. Sound your horn to clear a path through them

Answer: Stop and switch off your engine until they've gone. If a herd of animals blocks the road, stop and switch off your engine. Don't scare animals with your horn or engine noise.

Highway Code rule 214

1. By speeding up to get past quickly
2. As you would any other parked hazard
3. By sounding your horn to keep them away
4. With the same care you'd give to ridden horses ✓

Answer: With the same care you'd give to ridden horses. Feral and semi-feral ponies need the same consideration as ridden horses when approaching or passing them.

Highway Code rule 215

1. Carry on if no children are crossing yet
2. Sound your horn and continue slowly
3. Stop ✓
4. Slow down and go round them

Answer: Stop. You must stop when a school crossing patrol shows a 'Stop for children' sign.

Highway Code rule 210

1. Lorry drivers
2. Pedestrians ✓
3. Cyclists ✓
4. Bus drivers
5. Car drivers on motorways

Answer: Pedestrians; Cyclists. Those most at risk are pedestrians (especially children, older adults and disabled people), cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.

Highway Code rule 204

1. Nobody, because you're turning off
2. Pedestrians on the pavement ✓
3. Traffic following behind you
4. Cyclists using a cycle lane or track ✓
5. Vehicles waiting to leave a driveway opposite

Answer: Pedestrians on the pavement; Cyclists using a cycle lane or track. When you cross a pavement, cycle lane or cycle track to reach or leave a driveway, give way to pedestrians and cyclists using them.

Highway Code rule 206